Paul Kohler - The Borrowed Souls, A Novel

I leaned back on the bench that had been my safety zone for the past six months. Although the location was centrally located, I realized that in order for me to truly move on, I’d have to leave the city entirely. And walking away from the park bench was the first step.

I stood up and took in the cozy park and its unassuming surroundings one last time. “Good-bye, Wilson,” I said, wondering if he could hear me from wherever he was now. “Thanks for… everything, I guess. But I think I’m going to find my own way now.”

I turned and walked down the sidewalk, trying to decide whether to begin tracking down the borrowers of my next two souls, or jump to my cabin in the woods. My home.

A moment later, I vanished.

A faint autumn breeze filtered through the partly open drapes in Luke Holloway’s apartment, causing goose bumps to spread across Meghan’s bare skin. She had just stepped out of the shower and paraded through the bedroom to her overnight bag for a clean pair of panties. Rummaging through her bag, she withdrew a pair of pink lacy boy shorts and quickly slipped them on. Next, she picked out a clean skirt and top before returning to the bathroom.

“You know, you don’t have to get dressed on my account,” Luke said.

Meghan smiled as she leaned her head back into the bedroom. “But if I walk out in public naked, people will point and laugh.”

“The fact that people will point is a given. However, they will not be laughing. They’ll be admiring your sheer sexual appeal,” Luke said, tossing the bedsheets to the side.

Meghan giggled girlishly before ducking back into the bathroom to finish dressing.

Luke moved to the window and closed it to within an inch of the bottom. He parted the drapes fully and peered out. Both sides of the street were lined with townhomes similar to his own. The sun shone brightly, causing him to squint momentarily. He reclosed the drapes, then pulled on a pair of gym shorts before joining Meghan in the bathroom.

“You know, it’s still pretty early. Are you sure you have to go?”

Meghan was standing at the mirror, applying mascara to her already long lashes. “I know, babe. I wish I could. But we’ve had a wonderful three days together, and Dana is expecting me back around lunchtime.”

Luke stepped up behind Meghan, wrapped his arms around her and gently kissed the nape of her neck.

“Luke?” Meghan pleaded.

“What? I was just… hoping to convince you to stay.”

Meghan lunged her elbow backward sharply, forcing Luke to retreat.

“Oww,” he gasped.

“Oh, stop, you big baby. We’ll see each other again soon enough,” Meghan said, then returned to the mirror to finish her makeup.

Luke rubbed his ribs soothingly as he moved into the living room. He sat on the sofa and thumbed through an irrelevant magazine while he patiently waited for Meghan to finish getting herself ready. Fifteen minutes later she walked out, dressed and looking vibrant. She looked around the living room, picking up the remnants of last night’s undressing, tossing them into her bag as she went. Luke sat quietly, watching her every move. As she made a second pass, Luke began to smile widely. Finally, Meghan noticed.

“What are you smiling at, you goof?” she asked.

“Oh, nothing. Just formulating a bribe is all,” Luke said.

“Oh yeah? What kind of bribe are we talking about?”

“You know. It’s one of those ‘makes one take notice of the situation’ kind of enticements. Hard to resist.”

“Okay. I’m intrigued.”

Luke sprang from the couch and met Meghan in the middle of the living room. He kissed her lips, gently. She returned his affection but held her position.

“First, Meg, my dear, you have to close your eyes.”

Meghan did so as a smile crept across her mouth. A moment later Luke slipped his hand into hers and led her through his apartment.

As they neared the bedroom door, Meghan said, “If your bribe is sex, you’re out of luck. I’ve already tasted that morsel and—”

“Hush now,” Luke said, guiding her through the door and up to the bureau next to the bed. “Okay, you can open them.”

Meghan opened her eyes, and her confusion showed plainly on her face. “Oh, sweetie. How’d you know I wanted… furniture?” she said playfully.

“Okay, you. Now, open the top drawer,” Luke said.

Meghan nodded and followed his instruction. The only thing inside was a set of black silk bra and panties. Matching, of course.

“Um, thank you?” Meghan said as she lifted the elegant lingerie from the drawer. “Oh look, and you even got my size right.”

“Well, those are really for me… but, the drawer? It’s all yours.”

“Luke Holloway, you devil,” Meghan said as she flung her arms around him, kissing him passionately. “I love it, I absolutely love it.”

“Well, I figured that we’ve been spending more time together, and there’s no reason for you to pack a bag every time you stay over,” Luke began. “And… you can come by anytime you want.”

“This is perfect! It’s been a long time since someone has given me something so heartfelt.”

“So you’re not freaked out?”

“Not at all. I really do like this, you, everything. This is absolutely perfect,” she said.

“Wow, that’s a relief. I was worried that it was too soon.”

Meghan weaved her hands through Luke’s arms and hugged him warmly. With her lips brushing up against his ear, she whispered, “You did good. Consider the bribe a success.”

A moment later, their lips met in an impassioned kiss. Then, Meghan pushed Luke away and held up the new lingerie.

“Now, seeing as this was for you,” she said, smirking, “let’s see how you look in it.”

The aroma of freshly pressed panini sandwiches wafted through the gourmet kitchen. Luke expertly worked the sandwich press while Meghan finished redressing.

“Soup’s on,” Luke said as he plated up two turkey and Swiss on herb-crusted focaccia sandwiches and set them on the kitchen table.

Moments later, Meghan walked in, having freshened up after just being ravaged. She dropped her overnight bag next to the door and joined Luke at the kitchen table.

“This smells wonderful,” Meghan said as she sat across from Luke.

“What, this? It’s nothing, really. It’s just a product of my latest kitchen gadget, the Presto Sandwich Maker 2000,” Luke said proudly.

Meghan smiled as she took a bite of her sandwich and glanced at her watch distractedly.

“Hey, I want to apologize if I’ve made you late,” Luke said, noticing the action. “I didn’t think my coercion would be so successful.” He winked.

“Don’t apologize,” Meghan said, wiping her lips. “I’m the one that made you actually model my new underwear. If I hadn’t taken the time to rip them off you and jump your bones, you’d just look silly walking around in them all day long,” she joked.

Luke smiled, blushing at the embarrassment of actually wearing women’s lingerie. “Well, I really am sorry, and to make it up to you, here’s a small token as a peace offering.” He slid a shiny brass key across the table.

“Oh. My. God,” Meghan gasped. “I don’t know what to say. Is that what I think it is?”

“Yeah. I was going to give it to you inside your new dresser drawer, but the sexy black skivvies won out.”

Meghan slid her plate to the side and continued to stare at the key. She reached out for it, but paused before touching it.